Part 2 of Coffee Shop Theology

The End Time

Coffee Shop Theology - Frank Moore

Frank Moore’s 5 reasons for fascination with the end time.

• Rapid developments in communication/travel/technology

• Political unrest in the Middle East• Proliferation of nuclear weapons• Rise in terrorism• Social/moral unrest• End time theology is highly profitable

The two extremes we must avoid regarding our view about the end times.

#1. Building an entire theology/ministry on the end of the world.

• People have been expecting and predicting the end time for thousands of years (and nobody has gotten it right yet).

Remember the Mayan Calendar Prophecy?

December 21, 2012

• The new Mayan Calendar date is December 21, 2019• The Left Behind Books and Movies• On Amazon, hundreds of books about the end times.• Maybe even the disciples were guilty of this?

The resurrected Jesus Christ’s final orders to the disciples before he ascended into heaven included these two instructions.

#1 Acts 1:4-8“. . . wait there (in Jerusalem) for the promise of the Father”. . . you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.

#2 Matthew 28:1 “Go and make disciples of all nations. . . ”

But here’s what happened in Acts 4:32-35:

Now the whole group of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one claimed private ownership of any possessions, but everything they owned was held in common. With great power the apostles gave their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus,

and great grace was upon them all. There was not a needy person among them, for as many as owned lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold. They laid it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need.

Why didn’t the Disciples leave and spread the Gospel like Jesus told them to after they had received the Holy Spirit?

#1. Building an entire theology/ministry on the end of the world.

• People have been expecting and predicting the end time for thousands of years (and nobody has gotten it right yet).

• Anyone who says that they know or have an idea when the end times will take place is misguided.

Matthew 24:35-36

Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. "But about that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.

Acts 1:6-7

So when they [the disciples] met together, they asked him, "Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?" He said to them: "It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority.

The two extremes we must avoid regarding views about the end times.

#1. Building an entire theology/ministry on the end of the world.

#2. Totally ignoring/avoiding the subject.

1. Every day we are one day closer to the end time.

2. We need to be ready for the end times!

1 Thessalonians 5:1-11

Mark 13:31-37

Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. "But about that day or hour no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Beware, keep alert; for you do not know when the time will come.

It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his slaves in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to be on the watch. Therefore, keep awake-- for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or at dawn or else he may find you asleep when he comes suddenly. And what I say to you I say to all: Keep awake."

#2. Totally ignoring/avoiding the subject.

• Every day we are one day closer to the end time.• We need to be ready for the end times!• We need to be “alert” and “awake” to the possibility, but. . . • It is important to do the things Jesus wants us to do.• We should pack our bags but not wait at the bus

station! • What would you do differently?